The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-22
A RELATIVES OPINION.
A Cousin of Tom Voolfolk Believes Him
Guilty of the Murder.

Guilty of the Murder.
Americas (Ga.) Recorder.
Mrs r. c. Black of this city, is q cousin of
Mrs. Voolfolk and niece of Mrs. West, who
were recently murdered near Macon. Imme-
diately upon the receipt of the news of their
death she left for the scene of the murder where
she remained until Wednesday. Learning of her
arrival hone a Recorder reporter visited her to
learn from her what she knew about the Wool
folk fanny.
Mrs. Black, who has known the Woolfolks
for years, informed that Thomas Voolfolk,
whom she regards the murderer, has always
been of moody, jealous disposition AS a
boy at school he had no intimate friends, as he
was quick to take ofense and never forgave.
At early age he seems to have taken for his
motto that the world owed him living with
work. When at home he refused to work.
and at an early age entered upon a dissipated
career His only idea and use of money
to spend it for his pleasure.
His father was gentleman of most
gentle and forgiving disposition and tried to
reclaim his hayward with kindness and
forbearance. Several times he set Tom up in
business and often Tom converted his goods
into cash speedily possible and spent it.
After his last failure he came home and again
asked his father for money. which request was
refused his father saying that in justice to his
other children he could not give him any more.
His father sought and obtained for him employ
ment. but he refused to accept the offer.
1t seems that there was some property which
he should have inherited from his mother which
brooding over it. He had the idea, whether cor
rectly not that his aunt, Mrs. Crane. was in
possession of property that should rightfully be
his, and he was wont to say that if he had his
rights he would have plenty to live on without
work, and twice visited his aunt in regard to the
property but never made any formal demand
upon her.
After he was married he again went to his
father for money. His father refused to give
him any money but offered to deed him 400
of land. He refused this saying he
wanted money or portion of the home place.
His father then decided the land to his wife.
After this he became sullen. moody, and scarcely
spoke to any one on the place. He still refused
to work. He had no money and no immediate
prospect Of procuring any, which to who
was accustomed to consult only hi own pleasure
most CALLING.
A few DAYS before the murder while his little
half-sister was going through her exercises on
the piano, he marched into the room and struck
her the head knocking her off the stool,
marking that he had got tired of hearing her
play on his mothers piano. and he was going to
fix it in q short time there would be more
of 1t.
Mrs Black is of tho opinion that he is not in
any manner insane as he was never excitable,
but slow, cool. calculating. He not a man
but would rather brood over it and plan revenge.
His sister, Mrs. Edwards is of the same
opinion.
Mrs. Blacks opinion is that he was desperate
in his want of money. He had long brooded
his lost inheritance from his mother, and
resented his fathers second marriage, and
seemed to look upon his fathers second children
standing IN his way especially after his father
refused him money on the ground that he had
his other children to take care of.
Mrs. Black also gave one item which seems
to have been overlooked. On the morning of
the murder ali the windows in the bedrooms
we're found closed, whereas it WAS the invariabe
custom of the inmates to leave at least one win
dow up for ventilation Her theory is that the
windows shut by the murderer to prevent
any from escaping.